Court Approves Temporary Takeover of 57 Properties Tied to Ex-Justice Minister Malami
A court in Abuja has given approval for the temporary takeover of 57 high-value properties believed to be connected to Abubakar Malami, Nigeria’s former minister of justice. The decision followed an application by the EFCC, which argued that the assets were acquired through questionable means.
The judge agreed that there was enough reason to place the properties under interim forfeiture and ordered that the Federal Government assume control for now. He also directed that the decision be made public, allowing anyone who claims an interest in the assets a 14-day window to challenge the move.
The properties, said to be worth billions of naira, are spread across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano, and Kaduna and include luxury residences, hotels, commercial buildings, warehouses, and large plots of land located in prime areas.
This action is tied to an ongoing ₦8.7 billion money laundering trial involving Malami, his wife, and his son. Investigators allege that during his time in office, large sums of money were routed through accounts and real estate purchases to conceal their origin, in breach of Nigeria’s money laundering laws.
The case remains before the court as further proceedings continue.
